Automatic hopper fill system for coin dispensing machines

Abstract

An automatic hopper fill system for a coin dispensing machine. An auxiliary coin reservoir container is positioned entirely within the machine to perform the hopper fill function when the hopper becomes empty. The container includes an opening or chute which is normally blocked by an electro-mechanically controlled release door and opened electronically by a circuit which reads a hopper empty code generated to release the auxiliary coin reserve into the hopper. An indicator light is mounted on the external surface of the machine to indicate that the auxiliary container has released the coin reserve into the hopper so that the auxiliary container can be re-filled with coins at a convenient time.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for automatically supplying coins to a coin dispensing machine, said machine including a cabinet and a coin-retaining hopper positioned within said cabinet, said hopper having a top open end for receiving coins and a bottom end for dispensing said coins, said apparatus comprising, an auxiliary coin reservoir container mounted entirely within said cabinet proximate the top open end of said hopper, said container including a coin receiving end and a coin dispensing end, said coin dispensing end having an opening positioned adjacent to the top open end of said hopper, a trap door installed upon said container over said coin dispensing end to normally close said opening and prevent coins retained in said container from moving into said hopper, trap door opening means to open said door upon receipt of a signal to do so, hopper status signal means positioned within said hopper to signal a low coin condition of the contents of the hopper, a trigger circuit connected between said hopper status signal means and said trap door opening means to cause said trap door to open when said hopper status signal means signals said low coin condition of the contents of the hopper, and a signal receptor controlled by said trigger circuit to indicate a first signal that said trap door has been opened. 
     
     
       2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said machine is a slot machine, said slot machine including a reel shelf, said hopper being positioned below the reel shelf, said auxiliary coin reservoir container being mounted on said reel shelf. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which said auxiliary coin reservoir container is positioned between the reel shelf and the hopper. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which said trap door opening means includes a solenoid mounted to said container, the solenoid being operational to open said trap door upon receipt of a signal from said trigger circuit. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said signal receptor indicates a second signal that said trap door is closed and said container is filled with a supply of coins. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said signal receptor is a signal light positioned on the external surface of the cabinet. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which said auxiliary coin reservoir is positioned above said reel shelf, said auxiliary container including a discharge chute terminating at said coin dispensing end, said discharge chute passing through an aperture provided in the reel shelf. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which said trap door opening means includes a solenoid mounted to said container, the solenoid being operational to open said trap door upon receipt of a signal from said trigger circuit. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which said signal receptor indicates a second signal that said trap door is closed and said container is filled with a supply of coins. 
     
     
       10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which said signal receptor is a signal light positioned on the external surface of the cabinet.